Gibraltar Point Weekend 24th-26th September 2004

Members of the Buckinghamshire Bird Club again converged on Gibraltar
Point Nature Reserve for the annual residential weekend. The group of 23 were
accommodated in the Field Study Centre, which also provided all of the food for the
weekend.

The weekend is ideal for mixing sea-watching with viewing waders, raptors
as well as general birding. The weather did not produce ideal conditions for finding
plenty of migrant birds, but we did manage 119 species in and around the reserve.

Photo copyright Dave Ferguson

Those that stayed in bed on Saturday morning missed this superb sunrise.

Photo copyright Jim Rose

Sea watching at dawn. One of the closer Arctic Skuas
is shown below.

Photo copyright Dave Ferguson

Photos copyright Jim Rose

The Long-billed Dowitcher was not exactly unexpected as
it has been present since 5th July 2004. It did provide a UK tick for quite a few
members of the group. Unfortunately it was rather distant and the above record shots
are the best we could get.

Photos copyright Jim Rose

This Short-eared Owl was seen hunting close to the
observatory on several occasions and will be one of the highlights of the weekend for many
people. It perched and hunted at very close range in excellent light conditions and
allowed Adrian Parker to get several superb flight shots of this fantastic bird. To
see these photos click here or on the photo.

Merlin photos copyright Adrian Parker

Merlins were seen hunting on several occasions, usually
along the beach where it was hunting small waders. Indeed on one occasion it was
successful and the wader (probably Dunlin or Sanderling) was heard screaming as it flew
off with it in it's talons. The last picture just shows the latest victim (a Meadow
Pipit) as it flew off in search of somewhere to eat it.

Photo copyright Jim Rose

Tree Sparrows have colonised Gibraltar Point in the
last year or so and bred on the reserve this year. In all of our previous visits
this species had never been seen before. We were fortunate to be able to see them in
the garden of the residential centre as they used the feeders. At least 8 were
present.

Photo copyright Adrian Parker

This Greenshank frequented a small pool by the road.

Photo copyright Adrian Parker

Redshanks were seen at various sites across the reserve. This was
taken on the Lagoon.

Photo copyright Jim Rose

Normally one of the most numerous waders at Gibraltar Point, but this
year there were relatively few Oystercatchers.

Photo copyright Jim Rose

Parties of up to 20 Black-tailed Godwits were seen from
Jackon's Marsh hide.

Photo copyright Jim Rose

This lone female Ruddy Duck was preening in front of
the hide at Tennyson Sands

Other Widlife

Photo copyright Adrian Parker

This Water Vole was regularly seen on a small pool and
was almost oblivious to the presence of birders within a few feet.

Photos copyright Jim Rose

This rather large Grass Snake was seen hunting from the
Mere hide while we were looking for an elusive Jack Snipe.

These two Comma butterflies were feeding close together
by Tennyson Sands

Photos copyright Jim Rose

Other highlights of the weekend included :-

A possible Franklin's or Laughing Gull which
was seen very distantly on the Friday afternoon seawatch. Having thought we had
heard the last of it, we were interested to hear that a probable Franklin's was reported
about 20 miles to the north later that day and the following day.

A Peregrine Falcon chasing down an Arctic Skua over the
sea. It did not catch the Skua (unfortunately) but did put on a superb display of
it's flying skills.

Arctic Skuas - Over 30 birds were seen over the
weekend, with the best numbers seen on the Friday afternoon.

A Jack Snipe that was seen by some members of the group
at very close range.